Wednesday, February 11, 2015

Issue 11, FOLKS!!! It's been almost a year since Buffy Season 10 started. How insane how fast times goes. I remember being a kid microwaving popcorn and 3minutes seemed eternal.

Anyways ----

This issue has a guest artist by the name of Megan Levens. Her style is a bit looser than Rebekah Isaacs and perhaps a couple touches cartoonier. I thought of a couple other artists: Don Simpson and Hilary Barta, namely. Megan's touch on this issue gives a more happy go-lucky vibe. There's still an air of drama, but the thicker curvier lines lighten the drama.

Megan Levens - art extraordinaire

Don Simpson - example

Hilary Barta - example

So let's get to the story. The issue kicks off with us visiting all the characters with a loved one. Buffy goes "speed-dating," which is so 00s. Xander and Dawn try to recreate what they once had. Willow is with Aluwyn (the snake mermaid witch). Spike is getting some female attention while on patrol with Officer Dowling. Giles is with an ex-girlfriend that cannot stomach the current form of Giles (read: Kid Giles). Anya revists Xander. Andrew goes to a party and finally embraces what we've all been saying FOR YEARS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Actually...He's a hero and he's into...

This particular episode ends with the Ross and Rachel (uhhh.....) struggle we've been struggling with FOR YEARS!!! WILL THEY / WON'T THEY???? Truths are spoken.

There is something relevant about this particular issue ....episode....whatever you call it....whatever works for you. It's about relationships. What stops them. What keeps them going. What makes it hard to go back. Why should you go back. Do you even want to go back?

Wednesday, January 21, 2015

So do you guys hate me??? I am a month late on this review. The Holiday Season was uber busy and I just could not focus my shit to write a review. But I'm back!!! Also --- Happy New Year!!

Ok onto the review --- Issue 10 features the return of a (maybe) beloved character --- Harmony. Harmony was played by the child actress Mercedes McNab featured in The Addams Family movies. In Addams Family 1, she played the unnamed girl scout. In Addams Family Values (part 2, really) she played the same role, which is the object of Wednesday Addams' hatred --- Amanda Buckman. Do you remember Wednesday and Pugsley hijacking their camp's production of the First Thanksgiving? Mercedes McNab gets burned at the stake. Mercedes was really memorable playing a ditzy, oblivious, yet very fortunate waspy white girl. She was the girl you had fun hating. I was really happy to see her have a role on Buffy and I was glad the character was not far off.

In this issue, Buffy, Willow, and Dawn take a spa day. The girls leave the Book of Vampyr in the hands of Joey and Chandler....errrr...Spike and Xander. While Spike and Xander are babysitting said Book, Harmony comes over for a visit. Really, Harmony wants to rewrite the Book of Vampyr HER WAY.

Uhhh ...great!

The jokes are funny. The art is really wonderful. I feel that Rebekah Isaacs' art is in great form. Her drawings have a suave fluidity to them. I felt that she has really grown in her role as the artist for this book. In some ways, I feel that the artist of this or any book always plays the director of the story. She has a great sense of the look and vibe.

The story is fun. It's a good issue to have right around the Holidays. (I know this be so late). This issue kind of reminded me of that classic Alan Moore penned story for Superman --- "For The Man Who Has Everything." In that story, Batman, Robin, and Wonder Woman go over to Superman's Fortress of Solitude - to find Superman in (as the wiki puts it) a vegetative state. Superman has a plant on him that keeps him in a dream state. In the dream, Superman envisions life had he not ever left Krypton and how life might've been different.

This story is not as heavy-handed, but we do get to see the inner life of someone like Harmony and a bit of Spike's at the end too. It's fun and sweet. Not the greatest most profound Buffy tale ever told, but enjoyable nonetheless. Those moments are just as important too.

Friday, November 21, 2014

Before Robia LaMorte was Jenny Calendar (computer teacher, Giles' S.O., gypsy descendant, and murdered by Angel) - she was a PRINCE Protege. Robia LaMorte was known as PEARL to me. I was a big fan of Prince & The New Power Generation's album, "Diamonds & Pearls" back then. Remember all the sex noises to the intro of "Cream" (get on top, cream shaboogie bop).......

FOLKS!!! HERE'S YOUR MOMENT OF ZEN.

YOU GOT HER NAME WRONG, MTV!!!

Her? On the left? Why that's no other than ROBIA LAMORTE!!!!!

TO THE LEFT. MISS CALENDAR?

10/10 FACIAL BEAUTY

BEFORE SHE R.I.P.'d

ONE LAST MOMENT OF PASSION WITH GILES

Nowadays according to Robia LaMorte's wiki:Since her role ended on Buffy, LaMorte has periodically accepted guest starring roles on various television shows. More recently she has retired from acting, focusing her efforts on other priorities such as Christian counseling, although she occasionally can be seen in commercials and smaller roles. She also spends some of her time preaching Christianity and selling audio CDs on her website that give accounts of her religious conversion and beliefs. In an FAQ on that site, LaMorte writes that while she was once a proponent of New Age beliefs, she rejected them after her conversion to Christianity. She criticizes these beliefs as a form of "earth worship" and characterizes the practice of witchcraft a dangerous opening for demonic influence.

NO COMIC CON APPEARANCES EVER, I IMAGINE. BUT ALL THE BEST. WE LOVE YOU, ROBIA LAMORTE!!!! THIS ONE'S FOR YOU!!!

Editors Note: I actually wanted to embed some of her funnier commercials but ended up finding this:

Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Last month's issue ended on something that I couldn't and didn't want to talk about. Other places such as (news-breaking) Bleeding Cool leaked it the day of. I will say it now: TARA's tombstone made an appearance at the end of the last issue. Also at the end of the issue, Andrew casting a resurrection spell. So if you see a tombstone in a comic, obviously There is a COMEBACK scheduled!!! Also no one can stay dead in comics. Let's just say I got super-psyched. SUPER PUH-SYCHED.

I really enjoyed Tara and Willow's relationship. Tara always keeping Willow's "magic problems" in check was very "When A Man Loves a Woman." Charming. While watching the show unfold season to season, I felt like I had seen the birth and death of Tara and Willow's relationship. I was there from when they were curious college girls. I was there to see Tara & the Scoobies face her bigot family with Amy Adams. I was there to see Tara and Willow have their personal conflicts. Finally, I was there to see Tara's demise. She meant a lot to Willow and by watching all this - Tara meant a lot to ME!!

We lived through Kennedy. I personally found her to be abrasive. They didn't last. But Kennedy still exists out there in the Buffyverse. I will say that it doesn't feel as important to have Kennedy make a comeback. Tara has been gone for so long - it only elevates her importance.

As for this issue, the Buffy / Spike storyline is rather simple. Dealing with killing the Soul-Eater Monster from the previous issue. However, the monster is not really important to what is really going on. The storyline is about Buffy and Spike's "will they / won't they?" Are they going to fall back in love? Where are they at? I'm not exactly sure myself. Are they going to kill that monster they're fighting? I mean of course. Wait - how did they wrap up Dowling?

What I want to see is Tara's "Will she / Won't she come back / And How Will This Go?" Willow comes just in the nick of time. A fight ensues. There is a struggle. Willow feels several different emotions. Andrew's reason for wanting to bring back Tara is heartbreaking. Willow's reaction is doubly heartbreaking. I sat there with some puffy fuckin' eyes.

This is where the tearjerk factor comes in.

I think what's so great about this issue is not so much about what it says out loud. It's great in what it doesn't say. There's a strength in the characters and their relationships that we can fill in the blanks.

The issue ends with some redemption and some resurrection. It was great. I really want to see where this all goes.

At this point, I feel like I would like to see some more Buffy-centered storylines. I would like to see where are they going with Spike and Buffy more. What is up with Xander? What's up with Dawn? How do we feel about Kid Giles? So many questions.

Sunday, November 16, 2014

Last day to join the crafty Holiday fun! If you'd like to sign up for one of our favorite traditions - our beloved Whedonverse themed ornament swap - follow the instructions below before midnight tonight! We'll be sorting the groups immediately and you'll receive your list of recipients over the weekend.

Thursday, November 13, 2014

Wanted to shine a spotlight on a cool & intriguing read called Lady Killer- written and drawn by Eisner-nominated comic artist Joëlle Jones, with cwriterJamie S. Rich. It's Jones' first time writing after drawing for so many beloved comic titles on every publisher there is such as: Adventures of Superman, Ultimate Spiderman, Fables, Madame Xanadu and of course the awesome, Zack Whedon pennedDr Horrible one-shot. Jones has a bunch of fans here at Buffyfest...in fact, Dan had her chosen as a favorite dream-artist for our Season 9 Draft Picks a few years back.

Described as "Betty Draper meets Hannibal," The main character of Lady Killer Josie Schuller is a picture-perfect homemaker, wife, and mother—but she’s also a ruthless, efficient killer for hire!" Buffyfest's Kevin has reviewed the first issue, check it out below for all the spoiler-free deets:

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It is quite an honor to review something outside of the Buffyverse!! It's nice to let the world know that I am more than some guy who just knows Buffy.

So Let's Talk LADY KILLER!!!

Lady Killer by Joelle Jones is the comic equivalent of Kill Bill meets Mad Men. I guess I should mention Hannibal - but I haven't watched that show yet and I don't feel comfortable saying that. Joelle Jones has a style that reminds me of Bart Sears... Are you aware of who Bart Sears is? Anyone read Wizard Magazine in the 90s?? He has a style that is quite fluid, muscular, and action packed.

I didn't really know what to expect of the comic. Is this based on the late 80s made for tv movie called Ladykillers, which was a murder mystery surrounding the killing of male strippers??? Quite the opposite.

The comic opens like Kill Bill vol. 1. Animated expressions. Camera angles that give you a fast paced fuck-you-up action movie feel but no violent imagery (yet). However, it is hand delivered with images of women wearing outfits tailored from the 50s/60s. There is a lot of reverence given to that old-style fashion in this comic. It should appeal to anyone that has a flair for retro styling.

May I add that the coloring on the comic is by Laura Allred? She is famous for coloring all of Mike Allred's work. This is perhaps the first time I've seen her not color for her husband. Laura has a great eye for pastel shades that make something really pop!

The story is fast paced, which unfolds a lot in just the lyricism of the artwork. But there are words and there are other characters AND dialogue. I just wanted to say that in case you thought this was all about facades. In fact, that is one of the themes running through the couple issues I read of Lady Killer. The comic seems to brutally display the ignorant bliss of the 60s, the kind that you see in Mad Men. The anti-feminism. The anti-health. The anti-forward thinking. Back in the 60s, when people were just a bunch of dumb cavemen. I should mention that this comic is fun! There are some sexy times. There is a lot of blood and violence. LADY KILLER IS THE TITLE, MIND YOU. It's also very charming and adorable. The two issues that I've read have laid down some ground work for the series to grow. Please do yourself a favor and meet Josie Schuller...of LADY KILLER. Coming in January 2015 and currently available for pre-order.The first issue is currently orderable through comics shops.
On sale January 7
32 pages, $3.50 Miniseries

If you've never heard of this swap then welcome, you're in for a treat! Let us do a little explainy: The purpose of the swap is to give and receive a little Whedonverse fun. Basically you will create ornaments with a Whedonverse theme (Buffy, Firefly, Dr. Horrible, Avengers, etc.) and send them to 4-6 different recipients. In return you will receive 4-6 completely different handmade ornaments from around the world. As you can see from the photos, you really can make them out of anything: Wood, knit, sew, paint, draw, sculpt, paper craft, recycle old ornaments (earth friendly!) Have fun with it! There are not rules. (Actually there are some rules, see below.)

If you'd like to join us, sign-ups begin right now and will end next Sunday, November 16th at 11:59 PM U.S. EST. And pretty please make super sure you're willing to go through with this entire process before signing up! Deadbeats ruin the holiday fun for everyone. Here are the guidelines in 6 easy steps:

1. Sign up by sending an email with the subject "MERRY WHEDON" and the following information to buffyfest@aim.com by Sunday, November 16th.
- name
- address
- whether your are willing to ship overseas* (US and Canada will be mixed together)

2. On November 18th you'll receive an email from us containing the addresses and email addresses of 4-6 swap participants for you to send your ornaments to. Since you'll have each other's personal info, please contact each other with any questions, disputes or praise.

*A note on international shipping: Please only select international shipping if you are willing to ship at least 2-3 of your ornaments overseas. Take timing and the cost of shipping into account when you design your ornament. Lighter and more compact ornaments are cheaper to ship.

Wednesday, October 22, 2014

Considering the cover, the timing of this issue, and the actual interior of this issue - The Scoobs (read: Scooby Gang) are celebrating Halloween. The Book of Vampyr is missing and because of Magical GPS - they can tell the book is making its' way to Sunnydale. At this time of year in Sunnydale, all the freaks come out and put on their freakiest costumes and have a Burning Man-style celebration. So the Scoobs need to contend with returning to Sunnydale, which is DEVASTATO (spanish for fucked up) and having to deal with a gross costume party.

POR EJEMPLO

There is an amazing few pages done by the legendary Richard Corben. Do you know who that is? He's the man behind a lot of Heavy Metal magazine illustrations. Corben does monsters LIKE REALLY GOOD. In this super-muscled, textured, and expressive way. SERIOUSLY - GOOGLE HIM. His pages rule!! If you do some further googling - his stuff gets Super-Sexumundo (read: Sexual).

SAMPLE OF RICHARD CORBEN MAGIC

The issue kind of read like standard - "let's move the story along, let's keep you up to date." Obviously I do not mean to downplay the actual story - it is good. I don't think I can bear to tell you about the state of everyone's mind. I have spent the last few reviews being like, "Xander is complicated because...." and "Dawn is complicated because......" Here. It's kind of like - Buffy springs to action. There's a lil' mystery. Andrew (the closet-case gay(?) Scooby) makes some stank choices for some reason - which you will have to read on about. Some characters make a comeback (?). Some lingering thoughts about characters' previous actions are brought to light. (SPIIIIIIIIIKE???)

I will say the end has me super-excited. God what else CAN I SAY!??!? You know I dig this new season. I haven't hit a bummer moment. Rebekah Isaacs is kicking some ass. Christos Gage's writing reads on many different levels, which makes this rewarding. I've not come away from an issue wanting something else or thinking, "Gee had they only...." But if you are new to Buffy - this is a good starting point.

Sunday, October 19, 2014

Nicholas Brendon, slowly but surely becoming the Whedonverse's own Nick Nolte, was arrested for being a drunk, hot mess again at a Comic Convention in Boise, Idaho over the weekend. Just 2 weeks after getting married, he must have been still celebrating just a bit too hard.

Poor Nick, looking a bit bruised and worse for the wear in his mugshot on Saturday Morning, still turned up at the Tree City Con the next day...a delight to fans we're sure.

CNN reports:

Brendon was in town for the Tree City Comic Con.
Police were called to a downtown hotel Friday after reports of a disturbance in the lobby, according a news release from the Boise Police Department. "When officers arrived, they found the suspect who showed signs of intoxication and repeatedly refused officers commands to stay seated while officers tried to speak with witnesses," the release said. "When the suspect continued to try and walk away, officers took him into custody for resisting and obstructing."The hotel staff said Brendon had broken a decorative dish and they wanted to press charges.
He was booked into the Ada County Jail and bonded out, police said.
Brendon is charged with two misdemeanors -- malicious injury to property and resisting or obstructing officers.
Police say additional charges are possible. Brendon remained on the schedule to speak at an event Saturday evening.
His Twitter account thanked fans for their "love, support and positive vibes."

Haha! Broken a "decorative dish!" What the hell is this nonsense?

You might remember the first part of this story back in 2010 when Nicky got drunk once again and was very rudely tased by the po po! Keep your head up, buddy. We've all been there. Well not exactly there being booked in Boise and all, but you know what we're sayin'....the fans still love ya.